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TRUCKEE, Calif. — Construction of the next portion of the Truckee River Legacy Trail could start as early as this summer.

The tentative schedule for Phase 3B — running between the Truckee River and Tahoe-Truckee Sanitation Agency Waste Water Treatment Plant to Glenshire Drive — is to go out to bid in June, award a contract in July and start construction in August, said Becky Bucar, associate engineer for the town of Truckee.

“There are a lot of pieces that have to fall into place for that to happen, but that’s what we’re working toward,” she told town council at its April 23 meeting.

Those pieces include getting a use permit from the U.S. Forest Service, since Phase 3B goes through property owned by the agency along with town and TTSA land; acquiring environmental permits; and completing a National Environmental Policy Act review, among others.

In November 2012, the Truckee River Legacy Trail Phase 3B project was awarded a $2.9 million California River Parkways Grant. That funding, along with other sources, is expected to cover the estimated $4.6 million construction cost of the trail segment, Bucar said.

Should bids come in higher than current cost estimates, the town may need to either scale back or phase the project, meaning the Phase 3B segment might end on the east side of Martis Creek, she said.

Completion is targeted for fall 2014, and if everything goes well, the segment will be 2.2 miles of multi-use, paved trail, Bucar said.

The Truckee River Legacy Trail is a multi-phase project with Phase 1, 2 and 3A already completed, making up approximately 3.25 miles of trail. Phases 4 and 5 also are planned.

“The completion of Phase 3B will not only provide nearly five miles of trail along the Truckee River, but will provide a badly needed connection from the Glenshire area to the center of town — both downtown and the recreation facilities at the Sports Park and Regional Park,” said Tony Lashbrook, town manager. “Connection of our widely spaced neighborhoods to downtown and to each other is an important element of community building for Truckee.”

The Truckee Trails and Bikeways Master Plan, adopted in 2002, identifies the Truckee River Legacy Trail as a high priority trail, and when completed, will connect Donner Memorial State Park to Glenshire.

“It will provide an alternative transportation route, a recreational trail, and many opportunities to interpret the cultural and ecological resources along the trail,” Bucar said. “We hope it will continue to be used by residents and visitors to the area, as well as draw new visitors.”

“(The extension) will provide a badly needed connection from the Glenshire area to the center of town...” Tony Lashbrook Truckee Town Manager